Westgate statement on Glendale canceling Arizona Coyotes lease

By KTAR Newsroom | June 11, 2015 at 2:39 pmUPDATED: June 11, 2015 at 3:17 pm

LISTEN: Anthony LeBlanc, Coyotes co-owner, CEO, and President

Your browser does not support the audio element.

PHOENIX — In a statement sent to KTAR, the Westgate Entertainment District said it disagrees with the city of Glendale’s decision to cancel its lease agreement with the Arizona Coyotes.

The entertainment district surrounds Gila River Arena, the in-question home of the Coyotes.

The statement, from Westgate Development Manager Jeff Teetsel, can be read in full below. It has not been altered in any way.

“We are disappointed with the direction chosen by the Glendale City Council last night. The City should recognize the positive contribution the Coyotes have made in the context of economic development, including the development of the Tanger Outlets Westgate in 2012, the addition of the Tanger Phase 2 in 2014, the Dave and Buster’s now under construction as part of the Westgate Entertainment District and the application pending for the construction of a new hotel at Westgate. The combination of all this activity has produced well over 1,000 new permanent jobs, in excess of $200 million a year in annual sales for which the city now receives millions of dollars a year in annual recurring sales tax revenue, and millions of dollars in building permit fees to the City of Glendale. It is a shame that a majority of Glendale councilmembers fail to appreciate and consider the economic activity around the arena and direct financial benefit to the City.”

The Coyotes allege Glendale misinterpreted the law to get out of the deal. The team plans to take the matter to court.